DANELLE J. SMITH – Associate Omaha, Nebraska phone: 402.333.4053 fax: 402.333.4761 email: email me

Ms. Smith joined the firm in May 2006.

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Member, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

PRACTICE AREAS: Tribal sovereignty and self-determination; federal Indian law; corporate law; employment law; taxation; gaming; administrative law; ordinance and code drafting; intergovernmental relations; trial & appellate advocacy.

ADMISSIONS: Supreme Court for the State of Nebraska; U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska; Winnebago Tribal Court.

EDUCATION: University of Iowa School of Law (J.D., 2003); Wayne State College (B.S., 1998); Nebraska Indian Community College (A.A., 1994).

PRIOR LEGAL EXPERIENCE: General Counsel for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and Ho-Chunk, Inc., Assistant General Counsel for the Winnebago Tribe; Legal Extern, Iowa City Attorneys Office and Iowa City Human Rights Commission; Legal Intern, Native American Rights Fund; Legal Intern, Ho-Chunk, Inc.

TEACHING POSITIONS: Adjunct Instructor, Little Priest Tribal College, Winnebago, Nebraska, Business and American Indian Studies Departments.
ASSOCIATIONS: Federal Bar Association Indian Law Section; American Bar Association; Nebraska Women’s Bar Association.; Dakota County Bar Association.; National Native American Bar Association.

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS: Board Member, Ho-Chunk Community Development Corp.; Board Member, Legal Aid of Nebraska; Board Secretary, Nebraska Justice Center; Board Chairperson; Ho-Chunk Community Development Fund Review Board; Board Member, Nebraska Women’s Bar Association.

COMMUNITY, LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES: Junior Achievement Volunteer, Winnebago Public School; Class of 2003 Alumni, Americans for Indian Opportunity Ambassador Program; Member, Nebraska State Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project Committee; Apprentice Mediator, Nebraska Justice Center.

Prior to joining the firm in 2006, Ms. Smith worked two years as General Counsel and one year as Assistant General Counsel for the Winnebago Tribe and Ho-Chunk, Inc., the Tribe’s economic development corporation. As General Counsel, she was responsible for managing all legal affairs of the Tribe including the tribal government, tribal programs, gaming entities and tribally-owned companies.

As an Extern with the Iowa City Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted traffic and simple misdemeanor cases in Magistrate Court and provided research assistance to attorneys in a variety of service areas provided by the city government including housing, property, employment & civil litigation. She also assisted with investigating employment discrimination complaints received by the Iowa City Human Rights Commission.

Working with the Native American Rights Fund’s Washington, D.C office as an intern also provided Ms. Smith with added experience in federal Indian law. The non-profit firm represents tribes & tribal organizations in cases of national significance, and significant projects included research for the Cobell v. Norton trust fund litigation and the Tribal Supreme Court Project.

While in law school, Ms. Smith was co-Chair of the Native American Law Students Association and served as district representative on the National Native American Law Students Association Board of Directors. Ms. Smith is also active in her community and state through participation on various boards and in volunteer activities.